The Malia Beanie (2 Sizes)

October 24, 2017

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This pattern is part of the Fall 2017 Malia CAL (Crochet-Along). To view the other patterns in this collection (including a slouchy hat, infinity scarf, and buttoned cowl), please visit the Malia CAL Homepage.

Winter is coming, and that means… hat season! I love hat season, especially on school mornings, because between getting the kindergartener and the first grader ready for school and feeding and dressing the baby, I never have time to do much more than throw my hair up in a pony tail. (Yes, I could wake up earlier, but I value my sleep.) But when it’s cold enough to switch out the hair tie for a hat, a pretty winter beanie adds a little cuteness to the hot mess look, amiright?

I experimented with this design quite a bit because I knew I wanted it to be worked vertically to achieve the design I had in my head, but honestly, I’m not a huge fan of the work-flat-and-sew-to-cinch method. I’ve used it in a handful of my patterns because it’s the only way I knew how to achieve the vertical design, but sometimes I feel like I can’t close the top securely enough and the cinch often looks a bit unbalanced. So after some thinking, I thought up another method (which I’m sure has been done before by others) to combine my favorite top-down method with a vertical design and I’m really happy with how it turned out. It’s a little confusing to explain, but I’ve made a video tutorial for this pattern in case you need a little help! The video tutorial follows the large pattern size, but all you need to do differently for the smaller size is follow the first 3 rounds from the “Teen / Adult Small” pattern and then continue on with the video instructions.

Free Printable Tags

I made some cute printable tags for this pattern that you are welcome to use! If you’re selling or gifting this hat, a tag or wrap just ups the professionalism, in my opinion. I included a wraparound label (shown in the photo) as well as a smaller tag that can be attached to a piece of decorative string wrapped around your finished product, by punching a hole through the corner and threading the string through before tying a bow to secure. Print on cardstock for best results!

Here are a couple more photos of this stylish beanie, and you can scroll down to view the full pattern below!

Pattern Permissions

This is a FREE pattern, and by using it, you're agreeing to the following legally-protected conditions.
You're welcome to sell what you make with it; for online listings, please link back to my blog using something like this:

Pattern by
Little Monkeys Crochet
littlemonkeyscrochet.com

Here are the “do nots”:

Do not resell the pattern, altered or in its original form.

Do not copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, in a Facebook group, or anywhere else. Simply link to this page instead. Anything beyond this is copyright theft, regardless of what your pattern-sharing buddies tell you. 🙂

Do not pull any of my photos from this site (or any of my other sites) for your own use. The exception to this is if you want to share my article link(s) on your own blog; in this case, you are welcome to take one photo per post for use on your site as long as it is accompanied by a direct link back to my post.

A NOTE ABOUT PRINTING: My patterns no longer show up when accessed via PrintFriendly.com. (This is out of my control; please see my FAQs for more info.) If you wish to print this pattern (for personal use only), you can copy & paste it into a text editing document, or purchase the inexpensive PDF (see pattern info, below).

Gauge: The importance of checking your gauge for this project cannot be understated. Because of the construction of the hat, it is difficult to adjust mid-pattern if you discover it is turning out too large. Even if you typically do not complete gauge checks, I strongly encourage you to do so this time. To ensure the best results, the gauge check is a swatch taken straight from the pattern. Upon completion, you should have a 4” square. If yours is larger, consider using a smaller hook or a thinner #4 yarn. If yours is smaller, consider using a larger hook.

Pattern for Gauge:CH17. Row 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH. (16) Row 2: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16) Row 3: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16) Row 4: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16) Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16) Row 6: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 7 times. SC in final ST. (16) Row 7: CH1, turn. HDC in each ST across. (16) Row 8: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 14 STS. SC in final ST. (16) Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in each ST across. (16) Rows 10-16: Repeat Rows 2-8. (16)

Special Stitches:Large Bean Stitch (LBS)Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull through (2 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (6 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over and pull through (8 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 8 loops. Chain 1 to close the stitch. (Because this stitch creates two sets of loops - one when creating the bean, and one when closing the stitch - each completed Large Bean Stitch will count for two stitches in the row or round's final stitch count.)

3rd Loop OnlyHalf double crochet stitches have a 3rd loop that we utilize in this pattern. When working in turned rows, as in this pattern, the 3rd loop can be found just below the front loop on the side of the work that is facing you. When instructed to work in "3rd loop only", insert your hook into this special loop. This creates a delicate braided look on the opposite side of the pattern.

Notes:(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms. (2) CH1s at the beginning of rounds and rows do not count as a stitch in the final stitch count.(3) Click here to view a video tutorial for this pattern.(4) Individual instructions are listed first, followed by seaming instructions at the bottom, which is the same for both sizes.

Size: Teen / Adult Small

Finished Size: 8.25" tall x 18.5" aroundYarn Total: 160-175 yards

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To Begin: Make a magic circle; CH1.

Round 1: 12SC in MC, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (12)

Round 2: CH1. 2SC in each ST around, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (24)

Round 3: CH1. 3SC in each ST around, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (72)

At this point you should have a very wavy circle. We are now switching to vertical rows, and working them one by one using the stitches from Round 3.

Row 1: CH29, turn. SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH; row is complete. Being sure that the wrong side of the circle is facing you (because we turned), SL ST to the base of the CH29, then SL ST to the next ST along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Row 2: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along Round 3, SC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)

Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 11 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Row 4: CH1, turn. HDC in each of the first 22 STS. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)

Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 22 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Row 6: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along Round 3, SC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)

Row 7: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 11 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Row 8: CH1, turn. HDC in each of the first 22 STS. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)

Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 22 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Rows 10-65: Repeat Rows 2-9, in order, 7 more times.

Rows 66-72: Repeat Rows 2-8.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the seam.

Size: Adult Medium / Large

Finished Size: 8.25" tall x 20" aroundYarn Total: 190-210 yardsNote: This size was originally published as the only available.

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To Begin: Make a magic circle; CH1.

Round 1: 14SC in MC, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (14)

Round 2: CH1. 2SC in each ST around, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (28)

Round 3: CH1. 3SC in each ST around, join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (84)

At this point you should have a very wavy circle. We are now switching to vertical rows, and working them one by one using the stitches from Round 3.

Row 1: CH29, turn. SC in 2nd CH from hook and in each remaining CH; row is complete. Being sure that the wrong side of the circle is facing you (because we turned), SL ST to the base of the CH29, then SL ST to the next ST along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Row 2: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along Round 3, SC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)

Row 3: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. (SK next ST, LBS in next ST) 11 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Row 4: CH1, turn. HDC in each of the first 22 STS. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)

Row 5: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 22 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Row 6: CH1, turn. Skipping over the CH1 and the 2 SL STS along Round 3, SC in each of the first 22 STS of the previous row. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)

Row 7: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. (LBS in next ST, SK next ST) 11 times; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Row 8: CH1, turn. HDC in each of the first 22 STS. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in both loops of the final ST. (28)

Row 9: CH1, turn. SC in first ST. SC in BLO of each of the next 5 STS. SC in 3rd loop of each of the next 22 STS; row is complete. SL ST in each of the next 2 STS along Round 3. (28 + 2 SL STS)

Rows 10-81: Repeat Rows 2-9, in order, 9 more times

Rows 82-84: Repeat Rows 2-4

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the seam.

SEAMING

Turn hat inside out. Close up the magic circle and weave in that end only. Then, thread your yarn needle onto the long finishing tail and sew the first 6 stitches (the ribbed band) together, stitch by stitch. The following photo is a screenshot from the video tutorial:

Once you finish with the ribbed section, sew the rest of the seam up, stitch by stitch, putting your needle through the 3rd loop of the final row of HDCs and across to the corresponding stitch on the other side of the seam. This will ensure that the seam creates a row of visible top loops to match the other 3rd loop rows around the hat. The following photo is a screenshot from the video tutorial, with the 3rd loops highlighted:

Weave in your tail and cut off the excess. Attach a pom pom (optional.)

Done! If you're sharing on social media, be sure to hashtag #maliacal and #maliabeanie, and tag me @littlemonkeyscrochet. Hope you enjoyed it!

Pattern Permissions

This is a FREE pattern, and by using it, you’re agreeing to the following legally-protected conditions.

You’re welcome to sell what you make with it; for online listings, please link back to my blog using something like this:

Pattern by
Little Monkeys Crochet
littlemonkeyscrochet.com

Here are the “do nots”:

Do not resell the pattern, altered or in its original form.

Do not copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, in a Facebook group, or anywhere else. Simply link to this page instead. Anything beyond this is copyright theft. You are welcome to copy/paste it into a document for printing, for personal use only.

Do not pull any of my photos from this site (or any of my other sites) to promote yourself or your crochet business on your own blog, Facebook page, or anywhere else. The exception to this is if you want to share my article link(s) on your own blog; in this case, you are welcome to take one photo per post for use on your site as long as it is accompanied by a direct link back to my post and does not include any portion of the pattern itself.

Do not post a translation of the pattern anywhere – this is copyright theft. If you would like to help make a translation available, I am happy to publish it on my blog with a link to your blog or Crochet-related Facebook page.

Do not make a video tutorial of this pattern (or any of my patterns). For a detailed explanation of why this hurts designers, please contact me.

I welcome all comments and questions as long as they are spoken with kindness, and I will always try to extend the same respect to you with my replies. If I feel your comment is inappropriate or unnecessarily hurtful, it may be deleted at my discretion.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: I’ve just given birth to my 3rd little monkey, a baby boy named Henry James, on 12/28/16. I may be slow at responding to messages and greatly appreciate your patience during this time of transition. I’m not disappearing, but I may not be able to help you as quickly as you need it. – Rebecca 🙂

I love all your patterns. They’re my go to tbh. Sometimes I try to branch out, try other designers. But I always end up back with one of yours 😂 lol but really I mostly make for 16-20 yr old girls and they just prefer the more modern looks of your patterns. Can’t wait to make this one!

Hi Denise, unfortunately I can’t offer adjustments for sizes that I haven’t published (only because I get so many requests that I would be doing nothing but reworking my patterns) 🙂 I do plan to publish the children’s versions of the hat at some point this season. 🙂

Rebecca
God has truly blessed you with a gift to write patterns. As I am crocheting I can’t even fathom how you put the Malia pattern together or any pattern for that matter.
Thanks for sharing your gift with us.
This hat is so much fun to make and I love the look.
May God continue to bless you and yours!!

Hi – I’m on row #7 of the Malia beanie and wanted to verify…when the LBS first appears in row 3, you have us skip a stitch (after the 5 sc in the BLO) before beginning the first LBS. BUT, in row 7 after the 5 sc in the BLO, there isn’t a skipped stitch – you have us start the LBS right after the 5 sc. Is that correct, or should there also be a skipped stitch before the first LBS in this row? Thanks, love this hat already!!

Finished my hat last night it’s beautiful! It’s a little larger but I thought it would be because my gauge was a little larger. I tried to watch my crocheting but t think sometimes I relax and pull loop to high. I still think it’ll work for my granddaughter. Thanks for putting how many rows of beans think that should help a lot of people.
Thanks again no problems and love the pattern!!!!!!

Hi Rebecca, I’m struggling with the guage square so hoping you can guide me please. I have tried two different #4 yarns and 3 hook sizes. No matter what i try i end up with a rectangle instead of a square?! My most recent attempt was with a 4.25 hook. My swatch is 4 x 5. What am i doing wrong? I love this pattern! Thank you so much!

Hi Anna! My tags are cork tags by All This Wood on Etsy. Last I heard we had cleaned them out but they were getting more cork in within a few days. 🙂 Here is the link (affiliate): http://tidd.ly/fdb482f5

I love your Malia patterns, especially the beanie. Thank you for offering your free pattern. I have made a couple of your crocheted items to sell in my Etsy shop. I see the tag “Yarn+Chai” on a lot of hats, etc. and wanted to know what that is. At first, I thought it was the name of a crocheter, but I’ve seen it a lot lately on various blog sites.
Thanks for all your great patterns.
Sharon

I used the pattern to make your hate and when I was done it came out quite large! But not to fear the added space gave me the idea to change it from a hat to a bag! The pattern is really great and I love the final product

I made 2 of the cowls and love them, then made a beanie using the hook size and yarn mentioned (did not do the gauge check) but as many stated, it was HUGE! So I ripped out a lot of rows and just seamed it where it would fit. Since the top is wavey, it blended okay. I’d probably use a smaller hook if I make another one. Nice patterns though, thank you! 😊👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I just finished the Malia Bealie and it came out beautifully thanks to your excellent video. However, I really wanted this for my six-year old granddaughter and it is too big. Do you have directions that I can make one for her? Please email me so I can get started on it! This is a truly beautiful pattern – thank you so much!!!

I don’t have directions for a 6 year old at this time, I’m sorry. You can always figure out how many fewer inches you want the bottom of the hat to be, and decide how many rows you would need to subtract to get rid of that many inches.

Thanks so much for your reply. I am trying it again with #3 yarn and changing to a smaller needle for the ribbing section. I may also try shortening it – I’ll figure it out!! I love your website and your patterns are just wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! XO

Hi, I just finished making this beanie and it is super cute! My only question is, is there a way to make the band a bit tighter? I made the adult small version and my gauge came out perfect, but as I finished the hat it wasnt very tight on my head. I’d like to maybe try again if there is a way to get the ribbed section to be tighter… Any ideas??

When I made the gauge square, I had to go down a size to a H hook and I used a G hook when I was doing the ribbing – that worked pretty well although I could have even gone down to an F hook. It’s a lovely pattern!!!

Hi Rebecca, your Malia hat and cowl designs are so beautiful! I am planning to make both as Christmas gifts for my daughter. I see you made the pompom for the hat. Do you have a tutorial on how to do the pompom? Thanks for the pattern! I am very excited to make both of these patterns!!!

Hi there, I’m new to crocheting so it’s possible I’ve missed something or done something wrong but as you start the repeat sections of 2-9 for the adult beanie, how do you keep doing the required numbers of LBS when the stitches seem to get less and less due to the slip stitches on the magic circle?

Hi Chelsea! You’ll always have the same stitch count for every row. I’m not sure what it is that you’re doing, but I would highly recommend you watch the tutorial video in the post above to find out where you might be going wrong. 🙂

Try as I could…..I cannot get the gauge right for the Malia beanie! My test comes out to be 4.5 x 4.5″. I’ve tried going down 2 hook sizes….Can you help or advise a smaller size pattern? Thanks! LOVE this pattern!

You could try a #3 yarn which is a little thinner than a #4. That’s what I did for my 6 year old granddaughter and although the hat is a tiny bit big for her, she put it right on and it will be fine. I used the cupcake yarn and it even comes with a pom pom! Good luck – the pattern is just beautiful!

I crocheted my second hat flat, then cinched it. It worked, and I got a good fit, but the shape was just not as nice as when done with the original pattern. Cinching the hat elongated the shape slightly (as if I were hiding a cone-head, but it still looked good LOL) and it also made the hat stiffer at the top.

Yes… I thought that might happen, which is why I came up with the alternate method in the first place, lol. If I could go back (and perhaps I will when I have time to re-do the video), I would probably write the pattern so that the body of the hat is completed before moving on to the band so that a smaller hook size could be used. 🙂

Love your way to crochet
You Rock Im 64 and you make it easy to follow for us that are a little foggy headed at following a-written pattern i watch and pattens make sense
Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year to you and yours
Joanne

Thanks for a great pattern! I have never heard of crocheting in the third loop before, and I feel so knowledgeable now. (Wonder how long that feeling will last LOL.) I love the more contemporary look of this hat. I have made two hats now, one for my 11-year-old and one for me!

I'm Rebecca, a wife, mom, and tryer-of-new-crafty-things. I love to crochet, and I try to design patterns that the younger generations will love to make and love to wear. You can get to know me a little more here!